On May 18, the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, celebrated his first Episcopal Badarak in America before hundreds of worshippers at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.
Excitement was palpable as people from all over the United States filled the cathedral on a Saturday morning to see their Primate celebrate his “antranig badarak” as a bishop in America, marking the first time he would celebrate the Divine Liturgy among the people he leads.
To the majestic strains of the Hrashapar hymn, Bishop Daniel was led by a large group of priests and deacons from the outdoor plaza into the cathedral. It was an inspiration to hear the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, augmented with voices from local Armenian parish choirs, all under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekhanejian. Florence Avakian provided organ accompaniment.
Among the many dignitaries present were Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Mher Margaryan, Dr. Vartan Gregorian, and leaders of Armenian-American organizations, including the AGBU, AMAA, AAHPO, and FAR.
The badarak was also attended by dozens of clergymen—from the Eastern Diocese, Armenian Church jurisdictions around the world, and from sister churches and the ecumenical arena.
Also on hand for the service were members of Bishop Daniel’s immediate family, including his father Nurhan, brother Stephan, sister Tamara, and their families.
Bishop Daniel had only recently returned from Holy Etchmiadzin where the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, had consecrated him and two brother Armenian primates from Europe to the rank of bishop. More than 100 American Armenians were on hand to witness that occasion.
A New Vocation
In a sermon delivered passionately in Armenian and English, Bishop Daniel described how a week earlier, “three of us vartabeds approached on our knees the outdoor altar at Etchmiadzin.”
“We were referred to as hovabed: chief pastor. It’s an audacious claim,” he stated quietly. “Jesus referred to himself as ‘the good shepherd,’ called to lead his flock. The good shepherd cares for his sheep because he has a personal interest in them. The sheep are more precious than his own life, because he loves them.”
He continued: “My new vocation includes loving my flock to the extent of laying down my own life to raise you up and lead you to green pastures. You are under my care,” he said emotionally.
“But you have also been called to be like the Good Shepherd. The Lord’s calling for you and me is to lift up one another, to love one another. Let us revive that calling that the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew brought to us: the calling that could not extinguish the souls of one and a half million martyrs.”
“Come and join me in this new chapter in the life of our Diocese,” he declared, his voice cracking with passion.
Journey of the Spirit
The journey had begun in Armenia on May 11, when three vartabeds—Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Serope Isakhanian, and Fr. Tiran Petrosian—had approached the Etchmiadzin’s outdoor stone altar flanked by the symbolic white and purple flowers, walking slowly on their knees.
They were accompanied by dozens of Armenian and sister church clergy, including the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and clerical dignitaries from the Catholic, Syrian, Ukrainian, American, German and Austrian churches.
“It was a once in a lifetime moment for me,” related Bishop Daniel. The fact that the episcopal ordination took place on May 12, Mother’s Day, was also very meaningful for him, because six months earlier he had lost his dear mother, Ursula.
On Monday, May 13, Bishop Daniel celebrated his first Episcopal Badarakin the beautiful and intimate setting of the 1500-year-old St. Gayane Church in Armenia. Dozens of worshippers from America were on hand for that occasion, as well, when his sermon again reflected his vocation. “Our responsibility is to confirm our calling—our new identity—every hour, every moment, with every breath in our church so we can walk with our Lord into the kingdom of heaven.”
After the service on May 18 in New York, a reception held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium welcomed many emotional attendees who wanted to express their feelings.
Among them were Srpazan’s 14-year-old nephew James, and 12-year-old twin nieces Julia and Kira, who said: “We are so terribly proud of our uncle, whom we love so much.”
Deacon Kuriakos of the Malankara Syriac Church said that “the legacy of Bishop Daniel is about giving love. He will multiply that love everywhere.”
One of Bishop Daniel’s clerical godfathers, Fr. Karekin Kasparian, who has taught hundreds of seminarians—among them a young Dn. Michael Findikyan—over more than 50 years at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, quietly voiced: “I am very much moved.”
Bishop Daniel’s lay godfather, Dr. Garo Garibian of Philadelphia, who was the generous donor of the reception, called the Bishop, “the perfect choice to lead our Diocese. He has been chosen to this higher calling in our church, and I feel blessed by God to be a part of it.”
By Florence Avakian
Click here to view a gallery of photos by Albin Lohr-Jones.